Italian manufacturing sector reaches out to foreign investors and the future

The World Manufacturing Forum took place in Cernobbio on September 27 and 28. The Forum is the global leading event to discuss future developments in manufacturing techniques, for a new Italian and global industry. Italy was widely represented among the speakers, including, in addition to spokespersons of the main industrial interest groups, also government representatives. The Undersecretary for Economic Development, Prof. Geraci, opened the first day of discussion and, the day prior, also participated in the side event “Manufacturing: Why Invest in Italy” organized by the ICE Agency and dedicated to foreign companies interested in investing or expanding their operations in Italy.

The event first offered an overview of the investment opportunities for foreign companies in eight Italian regions (Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont, Trentino, Tuscany, and Calabria); then a panel was devoted to explaining the measures adopted by the government to support investments in the country. The Undersecretary underlined how, in order to continue to attract companies that invest in sectors with high technological intensity and high employment impact, it is fundamental that Italy presents itself with enhanced logistics services, business services and public incentives aimed at creating quality employment.

The World Manufacturing Forum identifies the trends of the manufacturing sector in the world and presents visions and perspectives on the industry to come. The sector is undergoing profound innovations, such as the introduction of automation and the spread of artificial intelligence. For Italy, whose exports are composed of 96% of manufacturing, intercepting emerging trends is vitally important. The main panels have addressed issues including innovation trends to 2030, the need for manufacturing to be socially sustainable and the future industrial revolution of machines.

The importance of technological innovation in manufacturing and industry as a whole has led Italy to incentivize foreign investments in its increasingly strong start-up sector, by providing regulatory instruments such as the Start-Up Visa program. With the Budget Law 2017, the government has extended the initiative to all non-EU entrepreneurs who intend to invest in Italian companies, regardless of their legal status. With an eye to the most important innovative realities of the country, Investorvisa.it offers its services on visas for all those who wish to invest in Italian start-ups and companies.